Crystal Palace Striker Admits Season Has Been Tough Since Benteke's Arrival But Offers a Solution

Crystal Palace strikerConnor Wickham has admitted that this season has been tough after falling down the pecking order with the summer arrival of Christian Benteke.

The 23-year-old notched his first goal of the season last weekend, latching onto WIlfried Zaha's pass before knocking a sublime finish past Burnley'sTom Heaton.

But it hasn't been all smiles for the former Sunderland man, who confesses that 'life has been frustrating' due to a lack of first-team football.

Belgian striker Christian Benteke arrived in a £32m deal, subsequentlypushing Wickham onto the bench - however, the playerfeels confident that he can strike a partnership with Benteke, claiming he is '100 per cent' sure that two big striker's can work.

"Yes, it has been very frustrating for me on a personal level," he told theCroydonAdvertiser.

📸 Connor Wickham grabs a goal back for Palace #BURCRY pic.twitter.com/8rV0dW5NNr

"I want to play football but that's kept in-house and the manager will tell me what I need to do.

"But it's part and parcel of football. Hopefully my goal will help. I've come on and personally I felt as if I made an impact, so I hope it will kick-start my season.

"I believe Christian and I can play up front together, 100 per cent, yes. It's two big men, for sure.

"Christian is very good in the air, good into feet, he's a holding target man and we can mix our play around him. It would add a different dimension to our team."

Next up for the Eagles is a highly-anticipated clash against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, who have won just once in their last five games.